Safety container

ABSTRACT

A safety container can include a hazard indicator located on an external surface thereof. The hazard indicator can include indicia to convey to personnel in the vicinity the nature of the hazard posed by the materials stored in the safety container. The hazard indicator can be made, at least in part, of a reflective material, preferably a retroreflective material. The indicator is disposed on the exterior surface of the safety container to help personnel locate the safety container in low light situations and to indicate the nature of the contents stored in the safety container, especially in situations where the safety container is located in a room where there is smoke or low light. The safety container can be in the form of a safety cabinet or a portable safety can, for example.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/593,422, filed on Nov. 6, 2006, which in turnclaims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/799,591, filed on Mar. 6, 2006, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a safety container forflammable, combustible, or other hazardous materials.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A safety container for storing flammable or explosive materials is knownin the art. Such a safety container can be located at a plant allows forthe onsite storage of flammable material. The safety container can be inthe form of a safety cabinet or a portable safety can.

The safety cabinet can be provided to insulate flammable material storedwithin it from the direct effects of an external fire to prevent theflammable material from adding to the deleterious effect of the originalfire. The safety can may also be used to store flammable material.Because it is portable, a safety can may not always be stored in asafety cabinet. Because of the nature of the materials stored in asafety container and the risks they pose to personnel in the vicinity ofthe safety container, it is desirable to alert those in the area ofthese risks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a safety container can include ahazard indicator located on an external surface thereof. The hazardindicator can include indicia to convey to personnel in the vicinity thenature of the hazard posed by the materials stored in the safetycontainer. The hazard indicator can be made, at least in part, of areflective material, preferably a retroreflective material.

These and other features of the present invention will become apparentto one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the detaileddescription, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, providedherein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a safety container inthe form of a safety cabinet according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the safety cabinet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the safety cabinet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail view taken from FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail view taken from FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the safety cabinet of FIG. 1 wherein a pairof doors of the safety cabinet are in an open position.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail view taken from FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the safety cabinet of FIG. 1 with a topportion of the outer shell removed for illustrative purposes.

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of a reflectivehazard indicator suitable for use with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of a safetycontainer in the form of a safety cabinet according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the safety cabinet of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of a safetycontainer in the form of a safety cabinet according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a safetycontainer in the form of a safety can according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a safetycontainer in the form of a safety can according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, reference is sometimes made to the “left,”“right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” or other regions of the safetycabinet and its various components. It should be understood that theseterms are used solely for convenient reference, inasmuch as the safetycabinet may be used omni-directionally.

Turning now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a safety containerin the form of a safety cabinet 30 according to the present invention.The safety cabinet 30 can be used to store, for example, flammableliquids, flammable waste, corrosives, pesticides, or combustible waste.The safety cabinet can include a base assembly 31, an enclosure 32resting upon the base assembly 31 and defining an access opening to aninterior chamber, a left door 34 and a right door 36 hingedly mounted tothe enclosure 32 to selectively seal the access opening, a hazardindicator 38 disposed on an exterior surface of the right door 36, alock bar 40 for selectively preventing the doors 34, 36 from beingopened, and a pair of padlocks 41, 42 for selectively locking the lockbar 40 to the enclosure 32.

The safety cabinet 30 can be provided with an indicator 38 that isdisposed on an exterior surface thereof to identify readily the safetycabinet as a device for storing hazardous materials and to indicateclearly the nature of the contents stored therein. For example, theindicator 38 can identify the nature of the hazard posed by the materialstored in the safety cabinet 30. The indicator 38 can include indiciaconfigured to convey information to an observer thereof. The indicia canbe a graphical symbol and/or writing to convey information concerningthe contents stored in the safety cabinet 30. For example, the indicator38 can include writings such as “Flammable” or “Danger” and a graphicalsymbol depicting a flame. It should be appreciated that the indicator 38can include writings in any language and convey any message through aselected combination of letters and/or symbols.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the indicator 38 is disposed on the rightdoor 36 adjacent a top end 111. In other embodiments, a plurality ofmultiple indicators 35 can be located at various positions on the safetycabinet 30.

In some embodiments, the indicator 38 can include indicia formed, atleast in part, from a reflective material so as to be particularlyvisible when struck by light such as from a flashlight, for example, inlow-level lighting conditions. In yet other embodiments, the indicator38 can include, at least in part, a retroreflective material such thatat least a portion of incident light hitting the retroreflectivematerial is redirected toward its originating source. For example, theindicator 38 can include a suitable reflective material such as thosecommercially available from 3M of St. Paul, Minn., including thereflective sheeting marketed as Scotchlite™ reflective sheeting, Series510-10, for example. In other embodiments, any other suitableretroreflective material can be used. In yet other embodiments, areflective ink or paint can be applied directly to the exterior surfaceof the safety cabinet to form the indicator 38 using any suitabletechnique, including silk screening, for example.

Referring to FIG. 10, another embodiment of an indicator 238 is shown.The indicator 238 can be in the form of a label 240 that is secured toan external surface of the safety cabinet via its adhesive-coated backsurface comprising a pressure-sensitive adhesive. The indicator 238includes indicia 242 including a pair of graphical symbols 244, 245 anda plurality of written messages 247, 248, 250, 251, 253, 254. Thegraphical symbols 244, 245 each include a triangle with a flame insidethe triangle. In other embodiments, the indicator can include aplurality of symbols that are different from each other. The messages247, 248, 250, 251, 253, 254 are in different languages, namely,English, Spanish, and French. In other embodiments, a single message canbe used. In yet other embodiments, messages in different languages canbe included.

The indicia 242 can be formed from a material that is reflective, andeven more preferably from a material that is retroreflective. In thisembodiment, the entire indicator label 240 comprises a retroreflectivematerial that has a coefficient of retroreflection, as measured by ASTME810, that allows the indicator 238 to retain its reflectivity whenviewed at a wide entrance angle. For example, the indicator 238 can havea coefficient of retroreflection of at least about 35candelas/footcandle/square foot when measured using a 2° observationangle and a −4° entrance angle, where the observation angle is an anglebetween the line formed by a light beam striking the reflective surface(the illumination axis) and the light formed by its reflective beam (theobservation axis), and the entrance angle is the angle formed by theillumination axis and a line perpendicular to the surface at the samepoint (the retroreflector axis). Preferably, the indicator 238 has acoefficient of retroreflection when the indicator is totally wet of atleast 90% of the value of the coefficient of retroreflection when theindicator 238 is dry.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the safety cabinet 30 can include a latchsystem 43 for selectively retaining the doors 34, 36 in a closedposition to cover the access opening of the enclosure 32. A paddlehandle 44 can be mounted to one of the doors 36 and operably arrangedwith the latching system to disengage the latching system to allow thedoors 34, 36 to move from the closed position to an open position. Thelatch system can comprise a three-point latch with one point latchingthe doors 34, 36 together and the other two points latching the door 36to the enclosure 32. The paddle handle 44 and the latching system 43 ofthe safety cabinet 30 can be similar, for example, to the paddle handleand latching system as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,701,which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The lock bar 40 is securable to the enclosure 32 such that the lock bar40 prevents the paddle handle 44 from moving to actuate the latch systemand prevents the doors 34, 36 from moving from the closed position. Thepadlocks 41, 42 can be disposed at each end 45, 46 of the lock bar tolockingly retain the lock bar 40 to the enclosure 32. The base assembly31 includes a pair of forklift pockets 48, 49 that are disposed inspaced relationship to each other and configured to accommodate arespective blade of a forklift fork to allow the use of a forklift fortransporting the safety cabinet from one location to another. The safetycabinet 30 of the present invention can be similar in other respects tothe safety cabinet as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,701.

Referring to FIG. 2, the latching system 43 can automatically latch thecabinet doors 34, 36 in the closed position. To open the doors 34, 36,the latching system may be released by operation of the paddle handle44. In the illustrative embodiment, the latching system is disposedwithin the right cabinet door 36 and engages the enclosure 32 and theleft door 34 to automatically latch both doors 34, 36 closed. In otherembodiments, the paddle handle and the latching system can be disposedwithin the left cabinet door 34. In yet other embodiments, the accessopening of the enclosure can be selectively covered by a single door.

Referring to FIG. 2, a pair of retaining arms 51, 52 and a pair of lockbar supports 53, 54 can be provided to support the lock bar 40 and toretain the lock bar 40 to the enclosure 32. As shown in FIG. 1, the lockbar 40 is mounted to the retaining arms 51, 52 and extends across thefront 56 of the safety cabinet 30 between the left retaining arm 51 andthe right retaining arm 52 so that the cabinet doors 34, 36 may not beopened while the lock bar 40 is secured in place.

Referring to FIG. 2, the retaining arms 51, 52, the lock bar supports53, 54, and the paddle handle 44 of the latching system are in verticalalignment with each other. This allows the lock bar 40, when put inplace on the safety cabinet 30, to rest on the retaining arms 51, 52 andthe lock bar supports 53, 54 while also covering the paddle handle 44,as shown in FIG. 1, to prevent the handle 44 from operating. Whensecured in place on the cabinet 30, the lock bar 40 protects the paddlehandle 44 from damage and prevents the paddle handle from being operatedto avoid the accidental or unauthorized opening of the safety cabinet.

Referring to FIG. 2, the left lock bar support 53 is attached to theleft cabinet door 34, and the right lock bar support 54 is attached tothe right cabinet door 36. The lock bar supports 53, 54 are similar toeach other, and, thus, the description of one is applicable to theother, as well. Referring to FIG. 4, each lock bar support 54 includes aplate 58 and a projecting support portion 60. The plate 58 is connectedto the door 36 to which the lock bar support 54 is mounted, such as bywelding, for example. Referring to FIG. 5, the support portion 60extends outwardly from an outer surface 62 of the door 34. The supportportion 60 includes a notch 64 that extends a predetermined distancedownwardly from an upper edge 65 of the support portion. Preferably, thenotch 64 extends to a point proximate the vertical midpoint of thesupport portion 60. The notch 64 of the lock bar support 53 isconfigured to matingly engage with a corresponding notch in the lockbar.

Referring to FIG. 2, the left retaining arm 51 is similarly attached tothe left side 68 of the enclosure 32, and the right retaining arm 52 isattached to the right side 69 of the enclosure 32. The retaining arms51, 52 are similar to each other, and, thus, the description of oneretaining arm is applicable to the other retaining arm, as well.Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, a distal end 72 of the retaining arm 52extends a predetermined distance beyond the outer surfaces 62 of thedoors. Referring to FIG. 6, the distal end 72 includes a mounting notch74 and a lock hole 76. The mounting notch 74 is similar in size andconfiguration to the notch of the lock bar support. The mounting notch74 extends downwardly a predetermined distance from an upper edge 77 ofthe retaining arm 52. Preferably, the mounting notch 74 extends to apoint proximate the vertical midpoint of the retaining arm. The mountingnotch 74 is configured to matingly engage a corresponding notch in thelock bar.

Referring to FIG. 7, the enclosure 32 can include an outer shell 104 andan inner shell 105. The outer shell 104 includes an outer bottom wall107 (FIG. 2), an outer left side wall 108, an outer right side wall 109,an outer rear wall 110, and an outer top wall 111. The enclosure 32includes the inner shell 105 to provide a double-walled construction,wherein each said outer wall of the outer shell 104 has a correspondinginner wall of the inner shell 105, with said inner and outer wallsseparated by a predetermined distance to define an insulative air space.The inner shell 105 defines the interior chamber that is accessiblethrough the access opening selectively sealed by the doors. In someembodiments a shelf, or a plurality of shelves, can be disposed in theinterior chamber to provide various storage options.

Referring to FIG. 2, a sealed sump area 114 can be provided between theinner bottom surface 115 and the outer bottom surface 107 of theenclosure 32. The sump area 114 is liquid tight and is provided tocollect any liquid that may leak from a vessel stored in the cabinet 30.The enclosure 32 of the safety cabinet 30 can be similar in otherrespects to the enclosure as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No.6,729,701, for example.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the safety cabinet 30 can include aretaining system 117 for retaining the doors 34, 36 in an open position,as shown in FIG. 7. Referring to FIG. 9, the safety cabinet 30 caninclude a closure system 118 to automatically close the doors 34, 36 inthe event of a fire and to assist in moving the doors from an openposition to a closed position under normal conditions. The retainingsystem 117 and the closure system 118 can be respectively similar infunction and in construction to the retaining system and closure systemas shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,701.

Referring to FIG. 7, in use, the left and right doors 34, 36 can bemanually moved by a user between the closed position, as shown in FIG.2, and the open position shown in FIG. 7. The loading and unloading ofthe safety cabinet 30 are facilitated if the left and right doors 34, 36remain in the open position. The retaining system 117 is provided toretain the left and right doors 34, 36 in the open position, as shown inFIG. 7.

In a preferred embodiment, the retaining system 117 includes a firstretaining element 120 with a first fusible link 122. The first retainingelement 120 has a detent feature that acts to retain the left door 34 inthe open position. The first fusible link 122 is mounted to the leftdoor 34 and the enclosure 32. The fusible link 122 is constructed suchthat the fusible link 122 fuses, i.e., melts, when the ambienttemperature is above a selected level to thereby detach the link fromthe enclosure 32 to allow the closure system to move the door 34 to theclosed position. The retaining system 117 includes a second retainingelement 124 with a second fusible link 126. The second retaining element124 is similar to the first retaining element 122 and is used to holdthe right door 36 in the open position. The second fusible link 126 issimilar to the first fusible link 120 and similarly provides means torelease the right door 36 in the event of a rise in ambient temperature.The second link 126 is mounted to the right door 36 and the enclosure32.

In one embodiment of the fusible link, the link is constructed such thatit will fuse when the ambient temperature is 165° F. In embodiments ofthe safety cabinet including a single door, the retaining system caninclude a single retaining element.

In use, the left and right doors 34, 36 can be moved from the closedposition, which is shown in FIG. 2, to the open position, as shown inFIG. 7. The retaining system 117 acts to retain the left and right doors34, 36 in the open position. The left and right doors 34, 36 can bemoved to the closed position from the open position either manually byovercoming the retaining hold of the retaining elements 120, 124 orautomatically by providing a means to automatically close the doors 34,36 in the event that the fusible links 122, 126 melt.

Referring to FIG. 9, the closure system 118 is provided to automaticallyclose the doors 34, 36. In the illustrative embodiment, a first aircylinder 130, which includes a moveable piston 132, is rotatably mountedto the enclosure 32. The first air cylinder 130 is disposed between theouter and inner top walls of the enclosure 32. A left linkage 134 ismounted to the left door 34 and rotatably mounted to a distal end 136 ofthe piston 132. The piston 132 of the first air cylinder 130 isconfigured to bias the left door 34 to the closed position. A first stop137 is provided to limit the range over which the first air cylinder 130can rotate in a closing direction 138. In a similar fashion as the firstair cylinder 130, a second air cylinder 140, which includes a moveablepiston 142, is rotatably mounted to the enclosure 32. A right linkage144 is mounted to the right door 36 and rotatably mounted to a distalend 146 of the piston 142 of the second air cylinder 140. The piston 142of the second air cylinder 140 is configured to bias the right door 36to the closed position. A second stop 147 is provided to limit the rangeover which the second air cylinder 140 can rotate in a closing direction148. It will be understood that in other embodiments, other biasingelements can be used in place of the first and second air cylinders 130,140, such as, springs, for example.

In the event of fire, for instance, the closure system 118 cooperateswith the fusible links 122, 126 to automatically close the doors 34, 36.When the ambient temperature exceeds the predetermined level, the firstfusible link 122 and the second fusible link 126 melt. The first andsecond air cylinders 130, 140 can act to move the left and right doors34, 36, respectively, to the closed position. Under normal operatingconditions, the closure system 118 can provide an assist feature duringthe manual closing of the doors 34, 36 by urging the doors 34, 36 to theclosed position once the retaining system 117 is overcome.

Referring to FIG. 9, to further seal the interior chamber of theenclosure 32 from the outside environment when the doors 34, 36 are inthe closed position, the left door 34 can include a baffle 149 extendingalong substantially the entire height of the door 34 and projecting atan oblique angle therefrom. Once the left door 34 is closed, the rightdoor 36 may then be closed to engage the baffle 149. Thus, during theclosing of the left and right doors 34, 36, it is advantageous that thedoors 34, 36 close in sequence wherein the left door 34 reaches theclosed position prior to the right door 36 doing so. It is alsoadvantageous that this sequence be maintained regardless of the sequencein which fusible links 122, 126 melt.

The illustrative embodiment of the closure system 118 of the safetycabinet 30 includes a timing mechanism 150 mounted to the enclosure 32to control the sequence of the closing of the doors 34, 36 such that theleft door 34 is placed in the closed position before the right door 36is. The timing mechanism 150 is constructed in a fashion similar to thetiming mechanism disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,098, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The timing mechanism150 includes a timing slide bracket 152 that is disposed between theouter and inner top walls of the enclosure 32. The timing slide bracket152 includes a slot 154 and is slidably mounted upon a slide pivot pin156, which is disposed in the slot 154. The timing slide bracket 152 ismoveable over a range of travel that is defined by the dimensions of theslot 154.

A slide bracket spring 160 is attached to a spring anchor 162 and to anend 163 of the timing slide bracket 152 to bias the timing slide bracket152 to a normal position, as shown in FIG. 9, with the slide pivot pin156 positioned at the leftmost extreme of the slot 154. When the doors34, 36 are in the open position, the timing slide bracket 152 ispositioned in the normal position. A stop 164 is mounted to the timingslide bracket 152 and is disposed such that the stop 164 will contactthe right linkage 144 as the right door 36 closes. In this manner,during the closing of the right door 36, the stop 164 engages the rightlinkage 144 such that the stop 164 selectively prevents the right door36 from moving to the closed position.

An actuating plate 170 is pivotally mounted to the inner top wall of theenclosure 32 by a plate pivot pin 172 and is pivotally mounted to thetiming slide bracket 152. When the actuating plate 170 is rotated in aclosing direction 174, the timing slide bracket 152 is moved in adisengaging direction 176. The right door 36 will remain partially openuntil the timing slide bracket 152 moves leftward a sufficient distanceto position the stop 164 out of the path of the right linkage 144.

In operation, the doors 34, 36 are closed either manually orautomatically by moving the doors 34, 36 from the open position to theclosed position. The right door 36 can rotate toward the closed positionuntil the right linkage 144 contacts the stop 164, thereby preventingfurther movement of the right door 36. The left door 34 can freelyrotate from the open position toward the closed position until itengages the actuator plate 170. Continued movement of the left door 34pivots the actuator plate 170 about the pin 172 in the closing direction174, thereby drawing the timing slide bracket 152 in the disengagingdirection 176 to move the stop 164 out of the path of the right linkage144. The left door 34 is moved to the closed position. The right door 36completes its movement to the closed position. The timing mechanism 150allows the left door 34, which includes the baffle 149, to move to theclosed position before the right door 36 does. Such an arrangementallows the left and right doors 34, 36 to cooperate to provide aprotective seal.

In embodiments of the safety cabinet including a single door, theclosure system can include a single air cylinder, linkage, and stop.Such a closure system can also omit the timing mechanism 150.

Referring to FIG. 2, once closed, it is preferred that the doors 34, 36remain closed for maximum safety. To provide automatic latchingcapability, the latch system 43 is provided. The latch system 43 isdisposed in the right door 36. In the illustrative embodiment, thesafety cabinet 30 includes both the left and right doors 34, 36. Thelatch system 43 can operate to automatically latch both of the doors 34,36 in the closed position. The latch system 43 is particularly useful inconjunction with the closure system when the safety cabinet includesleft and right doors 34, 36. The timing mechanism of the closure systemensures that the left door 34 is in the closed position prior to theright door 36 being in the closed position. With that sequence in place,the latch system 43 can automatically engage the left door 34 and theenclosure 32 without operation if the paddle handle 44 to latch theright door 36 to the left door 34 and to the enclosure 32, therebyselectively retaining both the left door 34 and the right door 36 in theclosed position.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, another embodiment of a safety containerin the form of a safety cabinet 230 according to the present inventionis shown. The safety cabinet of FIG. 11 is similar to the safety cabinetof FIG. 1 except that the safety cabinet of FIG. 11 has a smallercapacity than that of the safety cabinet of FIG. 1. The safety cabinetof FIG. 1 has a 45 gallon capacity, whereas the safety cabinet of FIG.11 has a 30 gallon capacity. The safety cabinet of FIG. 11 is similar inother respects to the safety cabinet of FIG. 1. The lock bar 40 of thesafety cabinet 30 of FIG. 1 can be used with the safety cabinet 230 ofFIG. 11.

Referring to FIG. 13, another embodiment of a safety container in theform of a safety cabinet 430 according to the present invention isshown. The safety cabinet 430 includes a pair of indicators 438, 439that are disposed on an exterior surface thereof to identify readily thesafety cabinet as a device for storing hazardous materials and toindicate clearly the nature of the contents stored therein. Theindicators 438, 439 are each constructed in a fashion similar to theindicator label 240 such that each indicator 438, 439 is reflective. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 13, the first indicator 438 is disposed on theleft door 434 adjacent a top end 511 thereof, and the second indicator439 is disposed on the right door 436 adjacent a bottom end 513 thereof.The safety cabinet 430 can be similar in other respects to the safetycabinets shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/593,832, filed on Nov. 6, 2006, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,701.

Referring to FIG. 14, another embodiment of a safety container in theform of a safety can 629 according to the present invention is shown.The safety can 629 is an example of a Type II safety can. In otherembodiments, the safety container can take the form of another type ofsafety can (such as a Type I can, for example). The safety can 629includes a receptacle 652 and a valve mechanism 654 constructed asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,918, for example. The receptacle 652defines an enclosure with an opening and a cavity for storing thehazardous material. The valve mechanism 654 selectively occludes theopening to the cavity inside the receptacle 652.

The receptacle 652 includes an external surface with an indicator 738affixed thereto. The indicator 738 is constructed in a fashion similarto the indicator label 240 such that the indicator 738 is reflective. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 14, the indicator 738 is a reflective band thatencircles the exterior surface of the receptacle 652. The indicator 738can include indicia 739 that indicates the nature of the hazardousmaterial stored in the safety container. The indicia 739 can be providedin a repeating manner circumferentially around the band such that atleast a portion of the indicia is visible from different vantage pointsrelative to the safety container. Preferably, the indicator 738 isconfigured such that information is visible at substantially any radialpoint around the 360 degree circumference of the safety container.

The safety can 629 may be equipped with a flexible nozzle to facilitatethe transfer of liquid stored in the safety can to another vessel. Thesafety can 629 can be similar in other respects to the safety cans shownand described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,918, for example. In otherembodiments, the safety container 629 can be similar to those shown anddescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,153.

Referring to FIG. 15, another embodiment of a safety container in theform of a safety can 829 according to the present invention is shown,which includes a clamp assembly 857 and a cage 859. The cage 859 ismounted to the receptacle 852. The clamp assembly 857 is mounted to thevalve mechanism 854. The cage 859 can be provided to protect the valvemechanism 854. The clamp assembly 857 can be provided to add anadditional safety feature to inhibit the unintentional opening of thevalve mechanism 854. The clamp assembly 857 and the cage 859 can beconstructed in a fashion similar to that shown and described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,772,918, for example.

The receptacle 852 defines an enclosure with an opening and a cavity forstoring the hazardous material. The valve mechanism 854 selectivelyoccludes the opening to the cavity inside the receptacle 852. Thereceptacle 852 includes an external surface with an indicator 938affixed thereto. The indicator 938 is constructed in a fashion similarto the indicator label 240 such that the indicator 938 is reflective. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 15, the indicator 938 is a reflective band thatencircles the exterior surface of the receptacle 852. The indicator 938can include indicia 942 that indicates the nature of the hazardousmaterial stored in the safety container. In other embodiments, theindicia 942 can be provided in a repeating manner circumferentiallyaround the band such that at least a portion of the indicia is visiblefrom different vantage points relative to the safety container.Preferably, the indicator 938 is configured such that information isvisible at substantially any radial point around the 360 degreecircumference of the safety container.

All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entiretyherein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended toserve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separatevalue falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, andeach separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. All methods described herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, isintended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose alimitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. Nolanguage in the specification should be construed as indicating anynon-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Ofcourse, variations of those preferred embodiments will become apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoingdescription. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ suchvariations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention tobe practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalentsof the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permittedby applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-describedelements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by theinvention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context.

1. A safety container for storing hazardous material, the safetycontainer comprising: an enclosure defining an opening and a cavity forstoring the hazardous material, the enclosure including an externalsurface; and an indicator disposed on the external surface of theenclosure, the indicator including indicia configured to conveyinformation about the hazardous material stored in the enclosure, theindicator including at least a portion comprising a reflective material.2. The safety container of claim 1, wherein the indicia comprises awriting.
 3. The safety container of claim 1, wherein the indiciacomprises a graphical symbol.
 4. The safety container of claim 2,wherein the indicia comprises a graphical symbol.
 5. The safetycontainer of claim 1, wherein the indicia comprises a reflectivematerial.
 6. The safety container of claim 5, wherein the reflectivematerial is retroreflective
 7. The safety container of claim 1, whereinthe reflective material is retroreflective.
 8. The safety container ofclaim 6, wherein the retroreflective material has a coefficient ofretroreflection of at least 35 candelas per foot candle per square foot.9. The safety container of claim 1, further comprising: a secondindicator disposed on the external surface of the enclosure.
 10. Thesafety container of claim 1, further comprising: a door rotatablyattached to the enclosure, the door movable between an open position anda closed position, the door configured to selectively cover at leastpart of the opening of the enclosure when in the closed position; andwherein the indicator is disposed on an outer surface of the door. 11.The safety container of claim 10, wherein door includes a top end, andthe indicator is disposed adjacent the top end of the door.